Northview, West Florida, Ernest Ward FFA Members Attend Ag On The Hill
March 13, 2013
Students from the FFA chapters at Northview High, West Florida High and Ernest Ward Middle schools attended the annual “Ag On the Hill” event Tuesday in Tallahassee. The local FFA members were able to visit with state leaders, including Sen. Greg Evers (pictured above), Rep. Clay Ingram and Commission of Agriculture Adam Putnam. Ag on the Hill is presented annually by the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators, The University of Florida and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS Cheerleading Parent Meeting
March 13, 2013
Parents of students interested in trying out for cheerleading at Northview High School need to attend the parent meeting on March 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Contact Megan Carroll or Tammy Calloway at (850) 327-6681 for more information.
Century Correctional Receives ‘Community Pride’ Award
March 13, 2013
The Century Chamber of Commerce’s Community Pride Award for March has been presented to the Century Correctional Institution.
CCI, the largest employer in Century, recently installed new “Welcome to Century” alongside Highway 29 at the northern and southern boundaries of the town. The “Welcome to Century” signs were designed by Lt. Tony Nolen of CCI and built with inmate labor. The signs celebrate the town’s sawmill heritage.
Pictured: New “Welcome to Century” signs constructed with inmate labor from Century Correctional Institution were dedicated in late January. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Agricultural, Forestry Leader Jamie Hall Passes Away
March 13, 2013
Local communities are mourning the loss of agricultural and forestry leader Jamie Hall of Oak Grove. Hall passed away Sunday night at the age of 43.
Hall, a 1987 graduate of Ernest Ward High School and a 1993 graduate of Auburn University, previously worked for Larson-McGowan Forest Managers and Consultants and was currently employed by Resource Management Services, LLC. He was also a registered Black Angus cattle farmer.
He served on the Escambia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Training program, Florida Farm Bureau Forestry Advisory Committee, Chairman of Escambia County Extension Office, FSA Advisory Council, Wedgeworth Leadership Institute – Class V, Florida and Alabama Cattlemens Association, Government Affairs Committee and member of Florida Forestry Association and was honored in 40 under 40 Florida Forestry Association leadership group.
Hall was actively involved in the Escambia County 4-H program. He was an honorary member of the Northview High School FFA where he served as advisor for the cattle program and the interview committee for chapter officers.
He is survived by his wife, Blaire Hall and children, Tucker Graham Hall and Colbie Capri “Jamie” Hall, all of Oak Grove; parents, Jan Hall of Atmore and James Earl “Bud” (Anita) Hall of Oak Grove; mother-in-law, Carol Hopkins; brother, Rusty (Traci) Hall of Augusta, GA and his nieces and nephews, Maddox, Noah, Brody, Hudson and Lillyanne.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 15, 2013, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gene King and Rev. Charles Melvin officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 14, 2013, from 6 p.m .until 8 p.m from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northview FFA Alumni & Friends, 4100 West Highway 4, Century, FL 32535. Donations will be used to establish a scholarship in Jamie Hall’s honor.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Senate Committee Passes School Safety Bills
March 13, 2013
Senate committee approved three school-safety bills Tuesday, one of the first legislative efforts to handle the emotional issue in the wake of the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn.
Two of the bills drew concerns, and one of the measures in particular appears to face an uphill climb. But both of those passed the Senate Education Committee on 7-1 votes, and there were no real qualms raised about a third measure.
The most contentious of the proposals was a bill (SB 514) by Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, that would allow local voters to create special districts that could raise money to fund school safety initiatives. The districts and the taxes they could impose would have to be approved through referendums.
“This bill lets the voters decide,” Sobel said. “We don’t decide.”
But some Republicans are hesitant about the bill, saying that it would create a new and unnecessary entity taking care of issues that could be handled by local school districts or cities.
“Obviously, school safety is the highest priority that we have,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg. “I want to make sure, though, that we do it in a prudent and judicial way to make sure that we’re not expanding the role and scope of government.”
Supporters said the bill recognizes the wide-ranging implications of protecting schools.
“Student safety is not just the interest of the school board or the school district,” said Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, a former Leon County superintendent. “It’s the whole community’s interest.”
Sen. Bill Galvano, the Bradenton Republican who chairs the Senate’s education funding panel, said his committee would look to better fund school safety in the budget plan it assembles. But Galvano, who reluctantly voted for the measure, said he believes local officials need to make sure money spent on school safety is spent wisely by looking at schools on a case-by-case basis.
“I think if you’re going to do that properly, you need to start with an assessment,” he said.
The Education Committee also approved a measure (HB 626) that would specifically ban “cyberbullying” and require school districts to address the technological harassment in their policies. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, drew bipartisan support despite some First Amendment concerns.
“It looks like our laws have not caught up with our times. … And until they do, we have kids that are suffering,” said Committee Chairman John Legg, R-Lutz.
But Brandes worried that the law could create legal problems for districts if they try to punish students for actions outside of school. And he suggested the law was unnecessary.
“We have laws on the books that allow for the school districts to deal with harassment, and we have civil actions that deal with defamation,” he said.
The panel passed a third bill (SB 284) by Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, that would allow private school districts to join warning systems used by law enforcement to alert schools to potential emergencies.
By The News Service of Florida
Ticket Selling Bill Runs Into Questions
March 13, 2013
Legislation to make it easier to resell tickets, either by an individual or an online distributor such as StubHub, squeaked through its first House committee Tuesday, but lawmakers said changes are needed for the proposal to advance.
Over the objections of performing arts and sports venues, the House Business and Professional Regulation Subcommittee gave a 7-6 backing to the “Ticketholders’ Rights” bill (HB 163).
However, Subcommittee Chairwoman Debbie Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, advised the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, that the support is wavering and will be withdrawn if concerns from venue operators are not addressed before the legislation appears before the House Regulatory Affairs Committee.
“Even though when we say you buy the ticket it’s your right, it’s your property, but you really are renting space in an area that is being put on by a group of people,” Mayfield said. “This (bill) is so broad and I struggle with that.”
Proponents say the bill is needed because venues offering “paperless” tickets require the ticket holder to show proof of identification to match the name when picking up tickets at “will call.”
Venue operators, such as the Tampa Bay Times Forum, contend the bill will make it easier for third-party vendors to purchase large numbers of tickets, both driving up sales prices and making it more difficult for the casual fan to attend.
They also expressed concern that the bulk purchases at college events could result in students being unable to get seats in student sections.
Ron Pierce, lobbying for the Tampa Bay Lightning, said if a person called the box office and directed that tickets be left in another’s name, the request would be allowed.
“We’re trying to address an issue that doesn’t exist,” Pierce said. “If it existed we’d be hearing about it from our fans.”
Smith said he has been trying to work on the bill with proponents and opponents, but so far the backers of the legislation have been more willing to discuss the proposal.
“My concern is that when you buy that ticket, and you own it, and if you don’t want to own it and you want someone else to own it, you can transfer it,” Smith said. “If you want to give it away at a charity you can. This is the intent of the bill.”
By The News Service of Florida
NHS Varsity Softball Now 8-0; Jay JV Goes 10-0; Other Area Scores
March 13, 2013
Seasons remained perfect Tuesday in Bratt as the Northview Lady Chiefs hosted the Royals of Jay.
SOFTBALL
–Northview 3, Jay 2
In varsity softball, the Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Jay Lady Royals 3-2 in a hard-fought district battle Tuesday evening in Bratt. With the win, the Lady Chief’s improved to 8-0 on the season.
–Jay 7, Northview 6 (JV)
In junior varsity softball action, the Jay Lady Royals beat the JV Lady Chiefs 7-6 Tuesday afternoon in Bratt. The JV Lady Royals improved to 10-0 on the season.
For a photo gallery of Jay at Northview varsity and junior varsity action, click here.
– Tate 5, Navarre 4
Amy Waters went 3-3 for the Tate Lady Aggies as they beat Navarre 5-4 Tuesday. Bailey Burk and Kaylan Rowell were 1-3 for tATE.
BASEBALL
–Pace 7-6 Tate
David Moorhead hit a three-run homer in the third for the Tate Aggies for a 4-3 lead. But the Pace Patriots came out on top against the Tate Aggies Tuesday, 7-6. JT Grenat was 2-2 with a homer and two RBIs.
–Jay 5, Flomaton 3
The Jay Royals beat the Flomaton Hurricanes in Flomaton Tuesday, 5-3. Tate Upton had two hits for the Royals at Hurricane Park. Dalton Edwards pitched the win for the Royals, giving up six hits and striking out eight. The Royals are now 6-2.
–West Florida 15, Escambia 7 (JV)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
AG Bondi Seeks Exhumations At Panhandle School
March 13, 2013
Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a petition Tuesday in circuit court seeking the exhumation of human remains at the former Dozier School for Boys in Marianna in the Panhandle.
The petition, filed in circuit court in Jackson County, seeks a court order that would let Medical Examiner Michael Hunter exhume bodies from “Boot Hill” cemetery and surrounding areas, where officials have said there may be unaccounted-for bodies of boys who died at the former reform school between 1900 and 1952.
“The deaths that occurred at Dozier School for Boys in Marianna are cloaked in mystery, and the surviving family members deserve a thorough examination of the site,” Bondi said in a statement released by her office. “I am committed to doing everything within my power to support investigative efforts to help resolve unanswered questions and bring closure to the families who lost loved ones.”
Former residents at the reform school alleged that guards administered beatings and otherwise abused boys at the school.
A Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation had determined there wasn’t enough evidence to determine whether the allegations of long-ago abuse were true, though other investigations by independent groups have continued.
By The News Service of Florida
Liability Limits Considered To Agritourism Operations
March 13, 2013
If injured on privately-owned agricultural land while hunting or hiking, or simply hurt while picking berries, horseback riding or otherwise hurt on a farm, you’d most likely be considered at fault under a bill advancing past its first Senate stop this week.
The Senate Agriculture Committee gave unanimous support for legislation that would reduce the liability for property owners of agricultural land against people injured while using the property for “agritourism” purposes.
The bill by Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, also prevents local governments from imposing their own regulations on agritourism, which can include dances and festivals. The provision is opposed by the League of Cities and Association of Counties.
Hays said the bill is to encourage new agritourism companies.
Sen. Maria Sachs said, while supporting the bill, existing local rules shouldn’t be eliminated as city and county leaders work with Hays and the Florida Farm Bureau on amending the bill.
“It’s an opportunity for us to use family farms to capture tourism,” said Sachs, D-Delray Beach. To acquire the limited liability, the farm owner would have to post “clearly visible” signs and have users sign contracts that warn of any potential dangers on the grounds, from the potential behavior of wild and domestic animals, hazards from natural conditions, and dangers associated with using farming and ranching equipment and facilities.
The limited liability would not cover negligence on part of professionals running the tourism activities.
Albert Allen Miller
March 13, 2013
Albert Allen Miller was born to John Henry and Daisy Mae Miller in Boothtown, AL, on May 29, 1927, and departed to his Heavenly Home on March 12, 2013. He was a member of Marcus Pointe Baptist Church. He was a self-employed building contractor in Northwest Florida.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Margaret G. Miller; his daughter, Debra Grace Miller and two brothers, Leo and Thurman Miller.
He is survived by his children: sons, William (Bill) Miller (Mattie) of Molino, Joe Miller (Faye) of Holt and Rick Miller (Diana) of Milton; daughter, Brenda Johnson (Roy) of Bogia; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren; sister, Eloise Turner; two brothers, Bobby and Benny Miller.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideons International or Regency Hospice.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 16, 2013, at the funeral home with Pastor Billy Dean Fowler officiating. Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.